Flashback — 1 Year, 5 Months Ago
Usagi's POV:
Hehe, it's such an honor… I still can't get over the fact Kurokawa-san accepted me as a full-fledged chef! My heart felt light as I changed out of my restaurant uniform in the staff's changing room. My skills are slowly getting better, and it's all thanks to her and… Okami-kun too.
Knock knock—
Before I could respond, the door gently creaked open, and Kurokawa-san stepped inside. She quietly shut the door behind her, locking it, which made me blink in surprise.
"Ah! Ma'am, you're here?" I said quickly, holding my casual top close.
"Oh yes," she said with a calm smile. "Can I not come in?"
"N-No! Of course you can! It's your restaurant after all," I laughed nervously. "It's just… not usual for you to visit the staff changing room."
She walked in, her footsteps soft and her eyes thoughtful. "I was just thinking," she began, "you've been working really well lately. After finishing your internship, you've become even more passionate. You're growing, Usagi-chan."
"You flatter me, ma'am… It's really nothing," I replied, smiling bashfully. "I still have so much to improve. I'm nowhere near your level when it comes to hard work."
I slipped on my casual top quickly as she stood nearby. For a second, her gaze softened more.
"You remind me of someone," she said quietly. "Someone who used to throw their heart into cooking just like that…"
"Eh? Who?" I blinked curiously.
She only smiled, looking away as if caught in an old memory.
"…Anyway, take care of yourself," she added while unlocking the door. "The 23rd is coming up. I think it'll be a good day."
"The 23rd?" I tilted my head. "Something happening?"
She just chuckled and stepped out without answering.
"Hm? 23rd?" I mumbled as I glanced up at the calendar hanging on the changing room wall. But… there was nothing marked. No event. No announcement. Nothing.
What did she mean then...?
And then it hit me.
Someone who used to throw their heart into cooking… just like that…
"Eh—wait!" My eyes widened slightly. Was she talking about Okami-kun? It has to be!
And right after that, she mentioned the 23rd. Could it be…?
Wait… is it his birthday coming up on the 23rd??
"Whoaaa… no way I can miss that!" I whispered to myself with a growing smile. Now that I think about it, a few days ago she did mention I should take the 23rd off... Was that her hint?! Is this what she meant all along??
A small laugh bubbled from my lips as I quickly slipped into my clothes and grabbed my bag.
I stepped out of the changing room with a little bounce in my step.
"Good work today, Usagi-chan~ Be safe on your way home~!"
"Aahh, everyone here's so sweet…" I muttered under my breath with a warm smile. "Yeah, I will! Bye-bye!" I called back, waving as I pushed open the restaurant doors and stepped outside.
Okay… first things first.
I pulled out my phone and quickly dialed Rentarou-kun.
"Hey! Quick question—when's Okami-kun's birthday?"
"Ehh—now you say that it's on—"
"Wait! Wait! Rentarou-kun!!" I quickly cut in, panic rising in my voice. "Is Okami-kun near you right now? Don't react if he is—just act normal!!"
There was a pause on the other side.
And then—
"Hahaha yeah yeah, now that you say it, it was a good manga," he laughed out loud, playing along perfectly. A second later, he whispered, "Yeah, I'm away from him now. So, what did you wanna ask?"
I exhaled in relief. "Yes, okay. I was asking… is his birthday really on the 23rd?"
"Yup. It's on the 23rd," he confirmed quietly. "How'd you figure it out?"
"Oh, his mom gave me a little hint," I said with a small grin.
"Eh? That's unusual…" he muttered, then chuckled. "Well, whatever."
"Listen—it's a secret, okay?" I whispered, glancing around like I was already being spied on. "I wanna surprise him, so let's discuss the plan tomorrow after our college lectures, alright?"
"Oho~ Secret plan, you say, Usagi-chan~?" he teased.
"Shhh, don't get all dramatic now!" I giggled.
We ended the call with little waves of excitement bubbling in my chest.
Just you wait, Okami-kun… I'll make your birthday unforgettable.
Next Day –
"Hina-chan! Mei-chan!" I called out excitedly as I stepped into the classroom, practically bouncing over to them. "We have to plan a surprise for Okami-kun's birthday!"
"Eh? Okami-kun's birthday?" Mei blinked in surprise.
"What's his birthday date, Usagi-chan?" Hina-chan asked curiously.
"It's on the 23rd!" I grinned.
"On the 23rd!?" Hina's eyes widened. "That's just five days from now!"
"Ohhh we gotta hurry and plan something special then!" Mei added, already fired up.
"We'll discuss it with Isumi and Rentarou-kun after all our lectures, okay?" I said, hugging my notebook tightly as my mind spun with ideas.
"Deal!" they both said in unison, matching my excitement.
Just five days... I'm gonna make it perfect for him.
Lunchtime -
We all sat at our usual spot lunchboxes in front of us… but the atmosphere was so off. I don't even know why, but everyone except Hina-chan and Izumi looked stiff as rocks. Hina, as always, was calm and composed, quietly sipping her soup, and Izumi… well, he was just happily munching away, completely unaware of the tension.
Gruhh!! What do I do!? Why is everyone acting so weird with Okami-kun here!?
"Um… is something wrong, guys?" Okami-kun asked, his brows furrowing a little.
"Ehh? W-what might you mean? Haha…" I laughed nervously, instantly realizing how terrible my acting was. Ugh, Usagi get a grip!
"I mean… why is everyone so silent? Even Mei-chan and Rentarou?" he added, glancing at them.
Both of them jolted like they'd just been zapped.
"A-Ah! W-we're just… really into this food!" Rentarou blurted out, stuffing a spoonful into his mouth.
"Y-Yeah! Totally!" Mei added, nodding way too fast. "This curry rice is just… intense!"
Oh kami… we're all such terrible liars.
Okami-kun looked at us, clearly suspicious, but didn't say anything more.
"Um… everyone," Okami-kun said hesitantly, his voice softer than usual. "I… I wanted to ask if you all are free after college. Maybe we could go to a café or something?"
We all blinked, surprised by the sudden invite. That alone was rare enough—but then he continued, his voice growing even lower, almost a whisper.
"I was hoping… you all would listen to my new story. And maybe… give me your opinions on it."
What—?!
CLANK! Rentarou dropped his spoon.
COUGH—! Mei practically choked on her food.
Even Hina-chan, the cool-headed one, lost her composure and nearly spit out her soup.
As for me, I stumbled awkwardly on my seat, wide-eyed and heart racing.
Whyyy!? Why does it have to be today!?
The timing couldn't have been worse. We were all planning to meet up after college to prepare his birthday surprise… and here he was, opening up for the first time ever. He never asks for things like this. Never drags people into his world. But today, he had actually found the courage to invite all of us. It must've taken so much for him just to say this out loud…
Urghhh… turning him down now would crush him. But if we go… how will we plan the surprise!?
My chest tightened. What do we do…?
"I'm free! I'm free!" Izumi-kun chimed in cheerfully, totally unaware of our secret birthday mission. His voice echoed with such honest excitement… but it was too late.
Okami-kun's eyes slowly drifted from him to the rest of us. His expression softened, lips tugging into a small smile—but not the warm kind. The kind that hides a drop of pain behind calm.
My heart sank.
No… no, no, no—don't misunderstand…
I was just about to speak up, to say we'll go— and was planning to just postpone the planning to tomorrow—but…
Okami placed down his half-eaten food quietly.
"Uh… sorry. Let's not do it today," he said, rubbing the back of his neck with a weak chuckle. "I… just got a new idea. I'll work it into the story. Forget I asked, okay?"
And that was it.
He smiled, but his eyes weren't the same. They weren't sparkling with his usual weird excitement for storytelling. They were quiet. Distant.
We all just… stared at him.
We messed up. Big time.
No one could say anything right away.
Hina-chan, the calm one, wiped her mouth quickly, still recovering from her earlier surprise. "O-Oh, it's fine, Okami-kun. Take your time," she said, trying to sound normal but her voice cracked a little at the end.
"Y-Yeah, yeah! No pressure! Take your time, no hurry at all!" Mei added, nodding so aggressively it looked like her head would fall off. Her acting… was terrible.
"Yeah, bro. Totally cool. Next time, let's do it next time, alright?" Rentarou said, laughing awkwardly as he nudged Okami's arm a bit too hard.
Ahhh—nooo. They're making it worse! He'll think we're just not interested in his story at all!
I had to say something. Cover it up, save it somehow—!
"Uhm—l-let's just… do this next time!"
NOOOO WHY DID I SAY IT LIKE THAT?!
My tone… it was so wrong. Not casual. Not cheerful. It sounded like I was brushing him off. I could feel it the moment it left my mouth.
GRUHHH—what is wrong with me!?
Okami just nodded gently and looked down at his food again.
I looked at everyone. Their faces said it all.
We weren't just planning a birthday surprise anymore…
Now, we're also trying to fix a heart we didn't mean to hurt.
Present Day –
"Oi, Bunny, what you thinking about?" Okami-kun asked softly, poking my cheek. I blinked back into reality, still lying with my head resting comfortably on his lap.
"Hehe, nothing," I giggled, tilting my head slightly to look up at him. "Just remembered how that whole mess while planning your birthday almost made you completely misunderstand us back then… fufufu, you were so tense those five days."
He huffed, crossing his arms like a pouting cat. "Can you blame me? You all acted so distant, leaving me out of everything, whispering, avoiding eye contact… it hurt, Bunny. Like, genuinely. I still remember that feeling till this day."
I gave him an apologetic grin, reaching up to gently pinch his cheek. "Hehe~ our bad! Sorry, sorry~ But didn't that become the reason you finally confessed to me on your birthday?"
His eyes narrowed, but he chuckled under his breath. "Hmm… now that you put it like that—yeah. I guess it was a good thing that happened."
We both fell silent for a moment.
Only the soft sound of the wind through the window and our steady heartbeats filled the space.
"Still…" he whispered, brushing his fingers gently through my hair, "I never wanna feel like I'm left out by you ever again, okay?"
I smiled, eyes closed, soaking in the warmth. "You won't. Not in this lifetime."